for Clinical and Natural Science

Thoughts about a Cognitive Model

I found Michelle Fava’s article “Developing a Cognitive Model of Observation Drawing” stimulating for my work in thinking about use of observation drawing as a pedagogical method in clinical and natural sciences. The article is articulate and informative. There were several points of particular importance.

The results suggest observation drawing can be divided into two parallel and mutually supporting processes of evaluation (strategic thought) and attention control.

The artists training in controlling (visual) attention would seem to be an important basis for improving observation acuity – citing Kozbolt references. The suggestion approaches a core interest of mine in that training in observation drawing for clinicians may improve their (clinical) observation skills in general.

An overly dominant assessment culture may have an affect of diminishing the ability to suspend-judgement (evaluation), important for exploring new options. Observation drawing requires establishing patterns of suspended judgement, the periodicity varies between individuals, and this suspension may promote open and creative problem solving skills more generally outside of the drawing activity.